Sensex rises 95 pts, ends 2014 with best annual gain in 5 yrs

Mumbai: The Sensex today rose by over 95 points to end at 27,499.42 on back of infrastructure, power and realty shares, helping the BSE benchmark end 2014 calendar year with the best annual gain in 5 years.

BHEL, Tata Power and NTPC were among the gainers today with about 1-3 per cent rise. Other Sensex-related stocks that ended higher include Dr Reddys, RIL, Hindalco, TCS, Bharti Airtel, Sesa Sterlite, Tata Steel, SBI and ICICI Bank.

However, auto scrips like M&M, Bajaj Auto and Maruti Suzuki fell as excise duty incentives to the sector are not likely to continue in 2015.

After a higher start, the 30-share index hit the session high of 27,527.24 and then closed at 27,499.42, a rise of 95.88 points, or 0.35 per cent.

The year saw the Sensex zooming to an all-time high of 28,822.37 on November 28. Foreign investors have infused over USD 16 billion into equities this year. Buoyancy in markets was on account of government’s thrust on reforms front.

The BSE index ended the year with a whopping rise of 6,328.74 points or about 30 per cent. This is the highest annual gain since 2009 when it had rallied by 7,817 points.

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty today rose by 34.45 points, or 0.42 per cent, to end at 8,282.70, after touching the day’s high of 8,291.

The Nifty has climbed 1,978.70 points, or 31.38 per cent, also its biggest gain since 2009. The 50-share index had climbed to its lifetime high of 8,626.95 on December 4, 2014.

“Our market remains the hot investment option. And this growth is expected to continue as cyclical, rate-sensitive and investment-oriented stocks find flavour with investors,” said Kamlesh Rao, CEO, Kotak Securities.